System for mounting PCI cards

ABSTRACT

An assembly that permits the compact packaging of PCI cards within a low profile chassis of, for example, a server. The assembly includes a framework having a central portion along which a PCI riser card is mounted in a generally vertical orientation. A pair of PCI cards are coupled to the centrally located PCI riser card in a generally perpendicular and opposing orientation. A lever system also is connected to the framework to permit the entire assembly to be lowered into a relatively small footprint and then levered laterally for connection into the overall device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a space saving configurationfor a processor-based device, such as a server, and particularly to aspace conserving PCI card assembly for use in a low profile chassis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of electronic devices, such as servers, have been madeavailable in smaller physical sizes. For example, many servers areavailable as low profile servers, e.g. 1U servers. Accordingly, it hasbecome increasingly difficult to package all of the necessary componentswithin the chassis of the device. The relatively small size also createsdifficulty in providing a feature rich server, unless the space occupiedby the various components is reduced.

One of the components that typically requires space within the chassisis the PCI card or cards. Small servers, for example, have eitherlimited themselves to use of a single PCI card or PCI cards having areduced size as compared to the standard full length cards. However,such solutions limit the potential functionality of the device.

It would be advantageous to have a space saving PCI card assembly thatpermitted the use of at least two full size PCI cards in a low profiledevice, such as a 1U server.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a PCI cardassembly is provided. The assembly includes a framework to which a PCIriser card is connected in a generally vertical orientation. Theassembly further includes a first PCI card and a second PCI card eachcoupled to the PCI riser card in a generally opposed and perpendicularorientation. The assembly also includes a lever system that facilitateseasy installation and ejection of the assembly to and from a spacerestricted area within, for example, the chassis of a server.

According to another aspect of the invention, a server is provided. Theserver has a chassis with a 1U profile, and includes a PCI card assemblydesigned to fit within the chassis of the server. The assembly comprisesa framework that utilizes opposed and vertically staggered PCI cards tosave space within the low profile chassis.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method isprovided for conserving space within a low profile chassis of aprocessor-based device, such as a server. The method includes mounting apair of PCI cards to a central riser card, and vertically staggering thePCI cards to permit space for connection to the riser card. The methodalso comprises providing a connector coupled to the riser card that isdesigned for connection of the PCI card assembly with the subjectdevice, e.g., to the motherboard of a server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will hereafter be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote likeelements, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rack with a plurality ofprocessor-based devices, e.g. servers, mounted therein;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a low profile server;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the serverillustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4—4 of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cable tray disposed within the chassisof an exemplary server;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 6—6 of FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a PCI card riser assembly designed formounting in a low profile chassis of an exemplary server;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the PCI card assembly takengenerally along line 8—8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the PCIcard assembly in an eject position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the right end of the riser assemblyillustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10A is a perspective bottom view of the riser assembly illustratedin FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a partial front view of an exemplary server illustrating anindicator;

FIG. 12 is partial rear view of an exemplary server illustrating a rearindicator;

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram for use with the indicators illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12;

FIG. 13a is a diagram representing the functionality of the circuitillustrated in FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a retractable LCD module in a retractedposition within an exemplary server;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the retractable LCD unit illustrated inFIG. 14 but in an open or operable position;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the LCD unit in an open position;

FIG. 17 is a top view similar to FIG. 16 but with the LCD unit in aretracted position;

FIG. 18 is a top view of a cable management system deployed with anexemplary server that is retracted in a rack;

FIG. 19 is a top view of the cable management system illustrated in FIG.18 with the exemplary server extended from the rack;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary rack andrail; and

FIG. 21 is an exploded view of an end of the rail illustrated in FIG.20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring generally to FIG. 1, an exemplary implementation of thepresent invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, a plurality ofdensely packaged, processor-based devices 30 are shown mounted in a racksystem 32. Rack system 32 is designed to slidably receive a plurality ofthe processor-based devices 30. Typically, devices 30 are mounted onretractable rails that permit the device to be moved between a retractedposition within rack 32 and an extended position in which the device isat least partially extended from rack system 32. This extension allowsremoval or servicing of an individual device 30, as illustrated in FIG.1.

Throughout this description, an exemplary processor-based device isdescribed and referenced as server 30, but other devices also canbenefit from the unique features described herein. The exemplary server30 is a low profile server, such as a 1U server designed to occupy oneunit of vertical space in rack system 32.

Server 30 includes a chassis 34 having a front 35 designed with pair ofdrive bays 36. Drive bays 36 are configured to receive a pair of hotpluggable drives 38. The front of chassis 34 also may be designed toreceive an ejectable CD drive assembly 40 and an ejectable floppy driveassembly 42. In the particular design illustrated, CD drive assembly 40and floppy drive assembly 42 are combined and removable or insertable asa single unit. The exemplary design also includes other features, suchas a retractable liquid crystal display (LCD) 44 and an indicator panel46.

In server 30, components are densely packaged, but adequate cooling ofthe components is maintained. As illustrated in FIG. 3, chassis 34 isdivided into at least two general zones including a high pressure, highairflow zone 48 and a relatively low pressure, low flow zone 50. Anairflow is created into high pressure zone 48 by a blower assembly 52.Blower assembly 52 typically includes a fan 54, such as a centrifugalfan, e.g. an exemplary blower unit is a 24 volt Gamma blower. Similarly,airflow through low pressure zone 50 is created by a blower 56. In theembodiment illustrated, blower 56 comprises a fan integral with aninternal power supply 58 oriented such that its fan discharges airflowinto low pressure zone 50.

Preferably, blower assembly 52 discharges airflow at a greater rate andpressure than blower 56. Thus, the air pressure created in high pressurezone 48 is maintained at a higher level than the air pressure in lowpressure zone 50 during operation of the fans. This ensures sufficientairflow across densely packed, heat producing components disposed withinhigh pressure zone 48 of chassis 34.

To ensure that minimal high pressure air from zone 48 flows into lowpressure zone 50, open areas between the zones have been blocked by anair baffle 60. Air baffle 60 prevents the output of blower assembly 52from disrupting the air flow created through low pressure zone 50 byblower 56.

Exemplary components disposed in high pressure zone 48 include one ormore, e.g. two, processors 62, each coupled to a corresponding heat sink64. Each heat sink 64 includes a plurality of cooling fins 66 thatdecrease in height along an inwardly directed end to provide additionalroom for other components. For example, a plurality of memory modules68, e.g. DIMMs, may be mounted within high pressure zone 48 at an angleto facilitate the low profile design of chassis 34. In this embodiment,memory modules 68 are disposed at an angle over at least one of the heatsinks 64, but the decreasing height of the inwardly disposed coolingfins permit the memory modules to be so oriented without contacting theheat sink. Another exemplary component disposed in high pressure zone 48is a PCI card 70.

In operation, blower assembly 52 draws air in along drives 38 anddischarges the airflow into high pressure zone 48. The size and capacityof the fan is adjusted according to the size of chassis 34 and thelayout of components disposed in high pressure zone 48. However, thecapacity should be sufficient to create enough pressure in high pressurezone 48 that the necessary quantity of cooling air passes across thecomponents disposed in zone 48 e.g. heat sinks 64 and memory modules 68.

Preferably, the airflow is discharged towards the rear of chassis 34. Inthe illustrated embodiment, chassis 34 includes a cutout region 72 forreceiving an air outlet or vent through which air is discharged fromhigh pressure zone 48. For example, a vent region 74 may be disposed ina cover 76 designed to fit over chassis 34 and enclose high pressurezone 48 and low pressure zone 50. Vent region 74 is disposed in a“scooped” region 78 of cover 76. When cover 76 is disposed on chassis34, scooped region 78 extends inwardly into the interior of chassis 34in high pressure zone 48 along cutout region 72. As illustrated best inFIG. 5, vent region 74 includes a vent and preferably a plurality ofvents 80 that permit the airflow to exit generally in a direction inline with the discharge from blower assembly 52. Exemplary vents 80 areformed as a plurality of louvers along scooped region 78.

Cover 76 also may include an air inlet 82 and an air outlet 84 forblower 56, or alternatively, inlet 82 and outlet 84 can be formedthrough chassis 84. As blower 56 is operated, air is drawn through inlet82 along the combined CD/floppy drive and into the power supply assembly58. The air is discharged from blower 56 into low pressure zone 50 untilit exits through outlet 84. Low pressure zone 50 may include a varietyof components that vary according to the design of chassis 34 and server30. In the exemplary embodiment, low pressure zone 50 includes a PCIcard 86, an inline EMI filter 88 and an internal array controller cabletray 90.

Other features of server 30 include a dual PCI card and an ejectableriser assembly 92 to which PCI cards 70 and 86 are attached. Also, DIMMmodules 68 and processors 62 preferably are attached to a motherboard94. Drives 38 are coupled to a removable SCSI back plane 96. A raid on achip (ROC) board 98 is disposed intermediate blower assembly 52 andpower supply 58. A power switch and LED PC board 100 is deployed withinchassis 34 generally proximate indicator panel 46 for cooperationtherewith. A back plane 102 for the combined CD and floppy assembly isdeployed between floppy drive assembly 42/CD assembly 40 and powersupply 58. Additionally, a pair of mounting rails 104 can be attached tothe sides of chassis 34 to permit engagement with corresponding rails ofrack system 32, as described below. It should be noted that a variety ofcomponent arrangements can be utilized, however, the exemplaryillustrated arrangement provides for a dense packaging of componentsseparated into two cooling zones that are able to readily maintain thecomponents at desirable operating temperatures. Several of the unique,inventive features that facilitate the above-described packaging aredescribed below.

One of the unique features of server 30 is cable tray 90. In low profileservers, such as the illustrated 1U server, larger SCSI cables caninterfere with the fit of internal components as well as beingdetrimental to thermal performance, e.g. heat removal. Cable tray 90 isdesigned to hold an SCSI cable 106 and to lie generally flat along afloor 108 of chassis 34. The low profile tray holds cable 106substantially out of the airflow through low pressure zone 50. Thus,cable 106 can be used to form an electrical connection between a PCIcard and motherboard 94 without interrupting airflow and thermalperformance. Preferably, cable tray 90 includes a flat base 109 and aplurality of tabs 110 that extend over and retain cable 106, asillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Preferably, tabs 110 extend upwardly fromflat base 109 and may be integrally formed with flat base 109, as byplastic injection molding.

In the particular embodiment illustrated, SCSI cable 106 is connected tothe board edge of motherboard 94 by an SCSI connector 112. Electrically,a control signal is implemented on an internal SCSI connector for anadapter to electrically switch the signal paths from being driven by anonboard controller to being driven by the adapter controller. The signalpath preferably is optimized so that when no adapters are plugged in,there will be negligible impact on the signal quality.

Another feature that facilitates the dense packaging of componentswithin chassis 34 is riser assembly 92, illustrated best in FIGS. 7through 10A. The design of riser assembly 92 permits the mounting of atleast two full length PCI cards, such as PCI cards 70 and 86, asillustrated in FIGS. 8 through 10. Riser assembly 92 includes aframework 120 having a center frame portion 122 disposed between PCIcards 70 and 86 and a pair of frame ends 124, 126 that are disposedgenerally perpendicular to center frame portion 122. Frame ends 124 and126 preferably are spaced apart to slidably receive PCI cards 70 and 86.Typically, each frame end 124 and 126 includes appropriate supports 128for supporting each PCI card.

Additionally, riser assembly 92 includes a PCI riser card 130 disposedalong center frame portion 122. A pair of oppositely facing connectors132 are electrically coupled to PCI riser card 130 and extend inopposite directions therefrom for coupling with PCI card 70 and PCI card86. Connectors 132 are mounted to PCI riser card 130 in a verticallystaggered arrangement. Additionally, a riser card connector 134 ismounted to riser card 130 and configured for connection with motherboard94 at a connection location 136 (see FIG. 6) to permit communicationwith PCI cards 70 and 86.

Additionally, riser assembly 92 includes a lever and preferably a pairof levers 138 connected by a handle 140. Lever or levers 138 arepivotably mounted to riser assembly 92, preferably at center frameportion 122 for pivotable motion about a pivot mount 142. Each lever 138also includes an engagement end 144 that has an engagement feature, suchas a recess 146 designed to engage a rib 148, typically mounted onchassis floor 108 (see also FIG. 6).

When riser assembly 92 is moved downwardly into chassis 34 (generallyover cable tray 90), engagement end 144 and recess 146 engage rib 148,as illustrated best in FIG. 9. Handle 140 is then pressed to pivot lever138 about pivot 142, thereby driving riser card connector 134 intoengagement with a corresponding connector, e.g. a connector onmotherboard 94, and riser assembly 92 into proper position. To removeriser assembly 92, handle 140 simply is pulled upwardly which movesriser assembly 92 and riser card connector 134 laterally to permitlifting of the entire assembly from chassis 34.

It should be noted that riser assembly 92 may be further secured inchassis 34 by a plurality of engagement features. For example, asillustrated in FIGS. 10 and 10A, a plurality of pins and receptor slotscan be used to secure riser assembly 92 into chassis 34 when levers 138are pivoted to an installed position. As illustrated in FIG. 10, frameend 126 may be designed with a pin 150 and a receiving slot 152 that arelocated for engagement with a corresponding receiving slot 154 and pin156, respectively, that are attached to chassis 34. In this embodiment,receiving slot 134 is formed in a tab 158 that extends upwardly fromchassis floor 108, and pin 156 also is formed to extend generallyupwardly from chassis floor 108 for sliding engagement with receivingslot 152.

As illustrated best in FIG. 10A, riser assembly 92 may also include oneor more, e.g. two, pegs 160 that extend generally downwardly from thebottom of center frame portion 122. Pegs 160 are located for engagementwith corresponding slots 162 formed in a bracken 164 mounted to chassisfloor 108 (see also FIG. 6). Bracket 164 and slots 162 are designed toengage and retain pegs 160 when levers 138 move riser assembly 92 intoits installed position, as illustrated best in FIG. 8.

Another unique feature of server 30 is an indicator system 162illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 13. Indicator system 162 permits atechnician to identify the appropriate server 30, or otherprocessor-based device, that requires attention and to disconnect theunit without risking disconnection of the wrong unit.

When multiple servers are mounted in a rack, particularly when the unitshave low profiles, such as 1U servers, it can be difficult for atechnician to ensure that he or she unplugs the proper unit at the rearwhen the unit was initially identified from the front. Thus, indicatorsystem 162 can be activated to provide an indicator of the desiredserver from the front of the server and from the rear of the server. Avariety of tags, logos, audible indicators etc. could be activated by anactuator to provide appropriate designation of the server requiringattention.

However, a preferred indicator system 162 provides a front switch 164and a front light 166, as illustrated in FIG. 11. Similarly, exemplaryindicator system 162 provides a rear switch 168 and a rear light 170, asillustrated in FIG. 12. When either front switch 164 or rear switch 168is depressed while lights 166 and 170 are off, both lights 166 and 170are illuminated. If either switch 164 or 168 is depressed while lights166 and 170 are illuminated, both lights 166 and 170 turn off.

This allows an individual to identify a unit requiring attention fromthe front. Once identified, front switch 164 is depressed to illuminatefront light 166 and rear light 170. The individual may then walk aroundto the back of a rack containing multiple units, identify the unithaving an illuminated rear light 170, and unplug cables from the unit.The unit then can be removed from the front of the rack for service orreplacement. This prevents the inadvertent disconnection of the wrongunit. Lights 166 and 170 preferably have a visually noticeable color,such as a blue color.

An exemplary circuit for use in indicator system 162 is illustrated inFIG. 13 and the functionality of the circuit is illustrated in FIG. 13a.The exemplary circuit may be powered by an auxiliary power supply Vaux172. Power supply 172 may be separated from the main system power supplywhich allows the circuitry to be operated even when the main systempower is off. Other components of the circuit include a NAND-gate 174, aD-flipflop 176 and an inverter 178.

In this exemplary embodiment, the D-flipflop 176 is illustrated afterits reset condition, that is its output Q is low and Q/ is high. Wheneither push button 164 or 168 is depressed, the signal line PUSH/(labeled 172 a) level changes from high to low. This signal transitioncauses the clock input signal, CLK 166 d, of D-flipflop 176 to changefrom low to high, via NAND-gate 174. The clock signal latches the highstate at the D input, therefore changing the Q output (labeled 166 c)from low to high. Because the Q output signal is passed through theinverter 178, the signal (LED-ON/ 166 a) at the cathode pins of LEDs 166and 170 is changed from high to low. This turns on or illuminates LEDs166 and 170. At this time, the D input of the flipflop 176 is low. Wheneither push button 164 and or 168 is depressed again, the CLK inputlatches the low state from the D input, causing the Q output, STATUS 166c, to change from high to low. This transition goes through the inverter178, effectively turning off both LED 166 and LED 170.

In the embodiment illustrated, one of the NAND-gate 174 inputs also canbe controlled by software designed to allow LEDs 166 and 170 to beturned on, turned off or blinked. Application software on the server oron a remote server can be utilized to control the state of the LEDs. TheD-flipflop 176 output Q/, STATUS/ 166 b, also can be monitored bysoftware. This would allow a technician from a remote site to controlthe state of LEDs 166 and 170 and to notify another technician in theserver room as to which server requires service. Upon completion of theservice work, the servicing technician would then push either button 164or 168. The remote technician is thereby able to monitor the LED statusand to determine completion of the service work. It should be noted thatthe figure and functionality described are exemplary, and other circuitscan be used to accomplish the device identification described above.

Another unique feature of the exemplary server 30 is the retractable LCD44, illustrated in FIGS. 14 through 17. The liquid crystal displaymodule 44 can be moved between a retracted position, as illustrated inFIG. 14, and a display or open position, as illustrated in FIG. 15. TheLCD module includes a display 180 that can be used as a visual interfacefor various information related to the operation of server 30. However,when LCD module 44 is not in use, it can be moved to the retractedposition to permit access to CD drive assembly 40 and floppy driveassembly 42.

LCD module 44 is pivotably mounted to a retraction assembly 182 by amodule pivot 184 that allows LCD module 44 to be pivoted between thedisplay position and a position generally perpendicular to the front ofserver 30 for retraction. Retraction assembly 182 includes an outerguide housing 186 disposed generally between floppy drive assembly 42/CDdrive assembly 40 and drive bays 36. Outer guide housing 186 is designedto slidably receive LCD module 44 therein.

Retraction assembly 182 further includes a pivot mount bracket 188 towhich module 44 is pivotably mounted via pivot 184, as best illustratedin FIGS. 16 and 17. Generally opposite pivot 184, bracket 188 includesone or more attachment features 190 to which one or more resilientmembers, such as a pair of springs 192 can be attached. Preferably, apair of springs positioned above and below each other are used tobalance the biasing force on pivot mount bracket 188 and LCD module 44as LCD module 44 is drawn into an open interior 194 of outer guidehousing 186. Exemplary springs 192 include coil springs that are pulledto a stretched position when LCD module is moved to its open or displayposition. Thus, the coil springs bias LCD module 44 back into openinterior 194 when module 44 is pivoted to a position generally inalignment with open interior 194. An appropriate electric line or lines195 may be routed to LCD module 44 through outer guide housing 186, asbest illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17.

When units, such as servers, are stacked sequentially in rack system 32,the various cables coupled to the various server ports can be difficultto manage. This is particularly true with low profile servers, such as1U servers, due to the relatively large number of closely spaced units.Accordingly, the densely stacked servers benefit from a cable managementsystem 200, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. The exemplarycable management system 200 includes a tray bracket 202 mounted to andextending rearwardly from each server 30. At least one and preferably apair of spools 204 serve as a cable support member and are mounted totray bracket 202 in a position that permits the plurality of variouscables 206 to be wrapped and held generally along the backside of server30. Spools 204 can be mounted in a variety of locations depending on thedesign of server 30 and rack system 32, but the spools are preferablylocated in positions to provide strain relief for the cables and tobundle the cables for routing.

Cable management system 200 further includes a tension device 208 and aretainer member 210. Tension device 208 and retainer 210 preferably aremounted towards the back of rack system 32 generally on a level withserver 30. Retainer 210 may be mounted or formed at a position on anopposite side of rack system 32 from tension device 208, as illustratedin FIGS. 18 and 19. Retainer 210 also is positioned slightly rearward oftension device 208.

In an exemplary embodiment, tension device 208 comprises a tension reel212, such as a torsion spring loaded reel, having an extensible member214, such as a cord or cable. Extensible member 214 is connected tocable bundle 206 at a location intermediate the cable connectors pluggedinto the rear of server 30 and retainer 210. Specifically, extensiblemember 214 is connected to cable bundle 206 generally intermediate theposition at which cable bundle 206 is in contact with retainer 210 andthe position of the closest spool 204. Thus, when a specific server 30is slid to an extended position in rack system 32, extension member 214is pulled outwardly, as illustrated in FIG. 19. However, when the serveris returned to its retracted position within rack system 32, extensionmember 214 is retracted into tension reel 212, thereby pulling cablebundle 206 to a neatly folded position to the rear of server 30, asillustrated in FIG. 18.

When multiple thin profile devices, e.g. servers, are mounted in a racksystem 32, a rack rail must be positioned for engagement with the sidemounting rails 104 attached to chassis 34 of each device 30. With lowprofile devices, multiple rails must be deployed in rack system 32 toreceive the multiple corresponding servers. To facilitate assembly ofrack system 32, and specifically the attachment of rack rails forsupporting each device 30, unique rails have been designed for easyinsertion and removal.

As illustrated best in FIG. 20, a preferred rack system includes a frontsupport member 220 and a back support member 222 on each side of racksystem 32. Front support member 220 includes a plurality of mountingopenings 224 that inhabit a substantial portion of the member.Similarly, rear support member 222 includes a plurality of mountingopenings 226 that extend upwardly for a substantial distance along thesupport member. The mounting openings are designed to receive a rail 228that extends from the front to the rear of rack system 32 between frontsupport member 220 and rear support member 222. It should be noted thatmounting openings 224 and 226 can be in a variety of configurations andcan be changed to mounting tabs, brackets or other features able toengage the corresponding mounting ends of each rail 228.

In the illustrated embodiment, each rail 228 includes a rear mountingend 230 and a front mounting 232. Each mounting end 230, 232 includesengagement features for engaging the mounting structures along front andrear support members 220, 222. In the exemplary, illustrated embodiment,rear mounting end 230 and front mounting end 232 each include a pair oftabs 234 sized and spaced for receipt in corresponding mounting openings222. Thus, rail 228 may be positioned at multiple different locationsalong support members 220 and 222.

In the preferred embodiment, rear mounting end 230 is fixed and frontmounting end 232 is resiliently movable. Alternatively, rear mountingend 230 can be made resiliently movable, or both mounting ends can bemade resiliently movable. Regardless, an exemplary resiliently movablemechanism 236 is illustrated best in FIG. 21.

In this embodiment, rail 228 includes a first rail portion 238 and asecond rail portion 240 that may be slidably coupled to first railportion 238 by a plurality of pins or fasteners 242. As illustrated,second rail portion 240 is formed with a pair of slots through whichpins 242 extend into contact with corresponding mounting brackets 244disposed on the interior of first rail portion 238. Heads 246 of pins242 retain second rail portion 240 slidably trapped against first railportion 238. In this embodiment, front mounting end 232 is formed at thefront of second rail portion 240 for selective, sliding movement intoand out of engagement with mounting openings 224 of front support member220. Front mounting end 232 may include a bumper 248 to buffer thecontact between first rail portion 238 and second rail portion 240 whensliding second rail portion 240 farther into first rail portion 238.

To ensure that rear mounting end 230 and front mounting end 232 remainfirmly connected to rear support member 222 and front support member220, respectively, second rail portion 240 is biased outwardly fromfirst rail portion 238 by a biasing system 250. An exemplary biasingsystem 250 includes a coil spring 252 disposed within a channel 254located on the interior of first rail portion 238. An abutment tab 256is disposed at an interior end of channel 254. A second abutment tab 258extends inwardly from second rail portion 240 generally at an end ofspring 252 longitudinally opposite of abutment tab 256 when second railportion 240 is slidably mounted to first rail portion 238.

Thus, spring 252 biases second rail portion 240 and mounting end 232 inan outward direction to firmly move rear mounting end 230 and frontmounting end 232 into engagement with rear support member 222 and frontsupport member 220, respectively. However, rail 228 can quickly andeasily be removed by overcoming the bias of spring 252 and forcingsecond rail portion 240 to slide inwardly into first rail portion 238.This resilient, movable mechanism 236 permits quick installation andremoval of rails 228 from rack system 32 to accommodate the mounting ofmultiple devices, such as servers without the use of screws or othertypes of fasteners.

The actual features of rails 228 by which each server 30 is slidablymounted thereto depends on the configuration of mounting rails 104.However, a variety of available sliding rails 104 and correspondingmounting rails 228 can be utilized, as known to those of ordinary skillin the art.

It will be understood that the foregoing description is of preferredembodiments of this invention, and that the invention is not limited tothe specific forms shown. For example, a variety of devices other thanservers can benefit from the various features described herein; theconfiguration of the overall chassis and the location of components canbe adjusted according to a specific application; the size and capacityof the blower assemblies can be adjusted according to each application;and a variety of materials can be utilized in the construction ofvarious components described herein. These and other modifications maybe made in the design and arrangement of the elements without departingfrom the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A PCI card assembly, comprising: a framework; aPCI riser card connected to the framework and disposed in a generallyvertical orientation; a first PCI card coupled to the PCI riser card andoriented generally perpendicular to the PCI riser card; a second PCIcard coupled to the PCI riser card and disposed generally perpendicularto the PCI riser card, the second PCI card extending from the PCI risercard in a direction opposite that of the first PCI card; and a leversystem to move the framework between an install position and an ejectposition.
 2. The PCI card assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein thefirst PCI card and the second PCI card are standard size, fill lengthPCI cards.
 3. The PCI card assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein theframework includes a center framework portion to which the lever systemis pivotably mounted.
 4. The PCI card assembly as recited in claim 1,wherein the lever system is mounted on a pivot and includes a handledisposed on one side of the pivot and a gripping member disposed on anopposite side of the pivot.
 5. The PCI card assembly as recited in claim4, wherein the gripping member includes a recess sized to engage acorresponding, stationary feature to facilitate installation as thelever system is pivoted.
 6. The PCI card assembly as recited in claim 4,further comprising a connector configured to electrically couple thefirst PCI card and the second PCI card to another printed circuit board.7. The PCI card assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the lever systemincludes a pair of lever members.
 8. The PCI card assembly as recited inclaim 7, wherein the framework further includes a first support end anda second support end oriented generally perpendicular to the centerframework portion.
 9. A server, comprising: a chassis having a 1Uprofile; and a PCI card assembly having a framework sized to fit withinthe chassis, the framework being configured to receive a pair of opposedPCI cards.
 10. The server as recited in claim 9, further comprising aPCI riser card disposed between and coupled to the pair of opposed PCIcards.
 11. The server as recited in claim 10, wherein the frameworkcomprises a center framework portion to which the PCI riser card ismounted.
 12. The server as recited in claim 11, wherein the PCI cardassembly further comprises a lever system to move the PCI card assemblybetween an installed position and an eject position.
 13. The server asrecited in claim 12, wherein the lever system is pivotably mounted tothe framework for pivotable motion about a pivot.
 14. The server asrecited in claim 13, wherein the lever system comprises a lever memberhaving a gripping end disposed on one side of the pivot, further whereinthe chassis includes a stationary feature configured for engagement withthe gripping end.
 15. The server as recited in claim 14, wherein thelever system comprises a handle connected to the lever member on anopposite side of the pivot from the gripping end, further whereinmovement of the handle when the gripping end is engaged with thestationary feature causes lateral movement of the PCI card assembly. 16.The server as recited in claim 13, wherein the lever system comprises apair of lever members mounted for pivotable motion about the pivot andconnected to each other by a handle.
 17. The server as recited in claim14, wherein the first PCI card and the second PCI card are standardsize, full length PCI cards.
 18. The server as recited in claim 12,wherein the first PCI card and the second PCI card are disposed in avertically staggered position.
 19. The server as recited in claim 14,wherein the framework includes a plurality of retention featuresdesigned to engage the chassis when the framework is moved to theinstalled position.
 20. A method for deploying a pair of full length PCIcards in a low profile processor-based device, comprising: mounting apair of PCI cards to a PCI riser card disposed therebetween; verticallystaggering the pair of PCI cards; and providing a connector coupled tothe PCI riser card through which the pair of PCI cards may beelectrically coupled with the processor-based device.
 21. The method asrecited in claim 20, wherein mounting comprises mounting the pair of PCIcards in a framework having a height permitting installation in a 1Udevice.
 22. The method as recited in claim 21, further comprisingmounting the framework in a 1U server.
 23. The method as recited inclaim 22, further comprising connecting a lever system to the frameworkto provide mechanical advantage for engaging the connector.
 24. Themethod as recited in claim 23, further comprising actuating the leversystem to move the framework between an eject position and an installedposition.
 25. The method as recited in claim 23, further comprisingproviding the 1U server with a chassis having a stationary engagementfeature configured for engagement with the lever system.
 26. The methodas recited in claim 25, further comprising forming the lever system witha pair of lever members connected by a handle.